Vehicle indicator optical projection device



June 9, 1953 A. MIHALAKIS ,1

VEHICLE INDICATOR OPTICAL PROJECTION DEVICE Filed June 28, 1949 Patented June 9, 1953 UNITED, STAT as PATENTUIOFF-I VEHICLE INDICATOROPTICAL PROJECTION DEVICE Agls Ilaki Mihalakis, Buflalo, N Y., assignor to Glowmeter Corporation, Buffalo, N. Y.

Application June 28, 1949, Serial No. 101,859

16 Claims.

This application is directed to certain improvements over the vehicle indicating instrument disclosed and claimed in my copendin applica tion, Serial No. 71,340, filed January 17, 1949.

The invention relates to improvements of the current speedometer dials; this invention pre eludes the necessity of the vehicle operator t take his eyes from the road in order tokno'w the erator during daylight or darkness, or under any and all normal or abnormal light conditions in the face of a setting sun or glaring headlights; lastly, this speedometeris an improvement over previously patented devices inasmuch as it is not merely a warning signal, but a precise instrument of accurate speed manifestations, readable both by actual study or by subconscious realization.

Further advantages of this speedometer liein the fact. that because of the designed optical mechanism, a color-identification system is possible, andthe dividing edges of the neighboring color fields end and begin with sharp and precise definition and optical quality, hence establish ing definite reading lines, avoiding all diffusion; another advantage is the employment of color combinations including "red, blue, and yellow, broadly speaking, each end and the center of' the color prism, hence providing the greatest possible contrasts of gray to operators of vehicles who are color blind; anotheradvantage lies in the limitation of the number of colors to these three colors, hence-limiting confusion of numbersin the minds of the operators who may rely upon memory in their operation of the vehicle, rather than by actual reading of the speedometer face, in which case the average auto driver knows thedifference between twenty and fifty miles per hour of speed. Although this invention is-shown' and described as a speedometer, it is obvious that the principle involved couldbe used with other condition indicating instruments of the vehicle. i.

' One form of the invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is a side 'VlBW of the conventional speedometerrwith the invention incorporated into its design;

Figure 2 is an magnetic rotor and enlarged cup as it would appear from the'rear;

Figure 3 is a full-face view ofare fiecting bead; 1

enlarged perspective view of the and Fig. 4 s a greatly magnifiedinterpretationf of a cross-section .of its construction.

'20 to have this service available to the vehicle opf each, this combination repeating in that order, through the extent of the speedometer calibra tion, allowing one window for each" ten miles speed designation, and adding one for the indi- Figure l ofthe drawingshows the conventional housing 15 of a speedometer with themagnetic inembens, and the hidden shaft I1 which is jourg j n'aled at 18 and actuated by speedometer cable l9,v The speedometer cup I positioned by a bear-- ing 8 in the center of magnetic member '9 on one end, is supported in position by needle-shaft 3f, and turns speedometer needle 5, which is 'coun terbalanced by weight 6 and maintained in a recovery motion by hair spring 4. Speedometer cup [is of suflicient depth to permit the construe tion of a long circumferential opening inwhich" is disposed a preengineered strip of 'fully trans-5T parent and not translucent material such' as glass or plastic, providingproportioned windows j i in chromatic colors, these windows also being transparent in whole and not translucent" in any part. Each window shall be of 'the'exact size of the'circumferenceof the speedometer' cup is apportioned in degrees of angle allowed to each v ten miles of calibration on the actual speedometer dial, using the needle-shaft 3 as index ofmeasurement. The colors of the windows on strip2 are preferably blue, red, yellow, one color for cation, zero miles per' hour. Affixed thereonor therein, may be suitable indicia in addition to the" colored windows, such as numerals, each numeral" designating ten miles-of speed. Thus thesharply defined dividing line between the numeralsone andtwoon window-strip 2 in Figure lgwoulddenote a reading of fifteen miles perhour; thedi viding line between numerals two and three would? denote twenty-five miles per hour. Minute cali-* brations on the window-strip would denote indi-' vidual miles per desired.

In Figurel, the conventional supporting base [4 has a socket 13 with a circuit wire 20 andwhich" supports a six-voltlamp I2 readily accessiblefor replacement; and the light radiated from the lamp bulb is condensed by condenser lens II and projected to a mirror ill which, in turnfrefiect s" the image through a window 2 and a lens corn-" bination 23. The projection or objective lens combination 23 is an optically corrected and designed lens that is transparent and not any degree translucent and is designed specifically to refract light and correct as many optical aher rationsas is possible, especially astigmatism and sphericalaberration; The image now traverses assembly tube -24 through'dust-proof window to the surface of reflecting screen 26 on windshield surface 25. Or,if desired,the image may benin tercepted by mirror orprism 28 which isadjust ablymounted, as by a turning hood Zlf on ad justable hasezs, thus enabling the beam to'be raised and lowered and to be moved to' the right hour, ifthis accurate reading is reflecting screen anywhere desired. Another method of adjustment is to mount the lens-001111..

bination in such a manner as to permitaQJ'D j:

ment of the axis of projection through-lens 23 hence removing the necessity of adjusting hood screen which is enlarged in the cross-sectional showing of Fig. 4 and discloses what is known-as a satin finish of substance. be metal, glass or plastic;. but preferably in this CaS QriS; gnetalwith l the brush-like finish running v uniformlyin onedirection, hence rendering a pluralityofl minute :grooyes. substantia11y, arran ed .creasiiiathe.radiance.of e en-m ny: fold in a manne which I shall .liere describe:

Regardlesszof the, brilliance .of the polishofthe.

surface ofthe. screen, when. the wires ru hpr-iu mw s m dium i a l d t his s n-- fat the bottoms t he. .furrows o ti sa te in a microscopic. state of roughness, and...irregu H t s condition canbe partially;corr;ect ed. by. uiling. or polishingi the overall surface of the ateen; uti .i rr a l s W o -beca s c the minut ness ofitheindividual furrows. As.is the;ga se; otinclicator screen 2t in Figure .3, I he is of so fine a nature that; ..b 1ffins10r lis ew u d W a -aw the ape zges or-crests of the .surfacethusdefeats screen, whether itbe metal, glass-.orplastic, the. rough; and .unpolished state of the depths, of -the furroiys will tarnish ordarken, gathering anexa cess; of corrosion and. debris, eventually being re,-

dugedfi r a Sl QfiQwOf Jimited operability. There,- s

,provide an even state of high polish to fore, all lsur aces of this screen, I apply or causeto be applied, a very thin and even coatingof; silver, chrome ni k L or QsOme such medium of greatbri iance and capacity for reflection, which, re flectins .i. m-. a li d of o d q ate pro-+1 -por,tion, .to.,nl l all microscopic irregularities-to; all sections of, thewire-brush finishof thethus pre pared screen. Figure 3, hence, is a drawingof-z the reflecting-bead, or screen in a magnified view, as; t would appear tothe vehicle operator in blue I withlthesharply-defined numeral 6 projected;-v

the 'eon and with the individual calibrations" of one mile per hour above the numeraL: also in hennd a Lan defin e 4 ma ea l magnified,:crosssection-of a portion of the screen; on, bead,.;andshowsthe body 3601" the original substance; with the upper surface 3|; treatecl in, themanner previously-described to provide.; the, mun-ta .eroov w th a thin co in o s l er, e; ,...I 1i(;l;e1, .or some I such medium of great, PM andr fle in abi i y.

This reflecting screen. or surface as herein de scribed, produces an, ,ideal projection -screen; for=-; use.,1n,;either daylight or darkness and the pro jection made, thereon by the device in the speedorneteris fully perceptible under any and allnat ural c n t n s ch a ib e p ed. t t e rect sunlight through the windows, inthe ,iac thelse t nsisuu-lor.s mmi ah adlithts;9 2 h..,

llelism to.;ea ch, other,v The preparation ,of, ac introduces a new and novel. method,

fineit is-, .ca n render a polished condition Figure 3 shows a face-on view.. of,a reflectin t;

The substance "can,

luminationpf the inside; of, the vehicle rby dome lights. It further has the tendency of limiting light entering from any angle other than the angle toward which the longitudinal axis of the minute; grooves" is pointed. It is further specified that without the application of the silvering coat, no, amount;of;rbufling or polishing can equal this performance a factor which is of paramount necQSS-ity here.

Previous patents have disclosed projection systerns-which, by virtue of their design and nature, were meant to be more related to warning systems than precise speeddesignation systems;,,f urther, my.invention relates togan optically operatedspeedometer which can replace without sacs, rific'e-of accuracy, and still further; with increaise.v or ,accuracyjhe conventional;speedometer; As isf contrasted to'a diffusion system, all of whose-jop; tical I mediums are translucent, .thereby' project?" ing an, image without definition, my inventioni employs a light source, 'Figurel, member I279. transparent condenser I I a transparent window 2, a transparent lens combination corrected forth'e'." purpose of projecting an optically aberration-r freeprojeetionto a fine screen 26-." 18y causing-,- th appearance of sharpedged sections of varied color on a screen placed in the immediate-prom? imity oif the exactglineof the vehicle operator's vision, the eyes, in their observance of 'theyrcadx aheacl are receptive to any and-'aIPchanges L; This condition suffers a color onthajt screen. reduction of its efi'ectiveness as the iscreen is movedyaway from this region of immediateD fOX-r: imity to the line of sight. At a distance of four. oriive inches, the powers ordiscernment-on the" part of the vehicle operator vanish"andhe-is, now incapable of detecting slightchangesnnless, he looks directly at the screen, The inyentimrmakes it possible to place this screen manifesting changes. in both numerals and colors to any de:" sired locality which makes it possible for the. vehi'cle operator to read thecalibrations without removing, his eyes from theroadj Furthermore with the grooves 3 I extending up and down on" the windshieldthe lines of demarcation-between the windows'z will be maintained distinctjas theyr traverse the refiectingscreen or button .6.2,

' I know thatspeedometers. have been ,invented, which "project, difiused lightin colors. to the,-.re i-.,. gionjs of theinstrument panel, and further that; v numerals have been reflected. witnthemedium of; mirrors ,to the windshield.

I claim:-

1. In a vehiclehavinga windshield; and air; instrument panel adjacent said: windshield; am indicating device carried; by said: panel-1 and, @12 1; eratively connected to a functioning;element:OK: thevehicle, opaque screen means; posi ioned-ads; jacentthevehicle voperators line :of sigh: trou h: said windshield, said indicatingdevice including; a movable; light-transmitting indiciaebearinge member, projection objective lens means yinters; posed between said, indicia-bearing inember: and". said screen means and focusing;theaindiciaupon: said screen means, said; opaque iscreenxmeanaz having a viewing surface comprising a brushes. like; finish-1 running ---in onev directionsforming ridges and furrows,andehavingsa thimcoatingz m fili ht-r flecting material. over: all portions of said, ridges and :furrows, and .a light sourceconcealed within said instrument panel :in oper 1 a i e. a nment with said indiciaabearing:

lt; and. said projection-aobjective 1enS':.- mean whereby an image of the indiciajsprojectedmmm; aiflzscteenrmeansle;

2. In apparatus as set forth according to claim 1, a means for adjusting th angle of projection of the indicia image.

3. In apparatus as set forth according to claim 1, said source of light concealed Within the panel structure being arranged to cast its light beam indirectly through said indicia member and said lens means onto the screen.

4. In apparatus as set forth according to claim 1, said indicia member being transparent and bearing color variations.

5. In apparatus as set forth according to claim 1, said indicia member being transparent and bearing the specific colors of red, blue and yellow.

6. In apparatus as set forth according to claim 1, said transparent member bearing the specific combination of colors with zero miles per hour represented in blue, ten miles per hour speed designation represented in red, twenty miles per hour speed designation represented in yellow, this combination to repeat itself for each thirty miles of speed indication through the entire extent of the speedometer range in the order named, each color being representative of a ten-mile speed range, which member is operable by the speedometer in response to speed variations for the purpose of projection to the region of the vehicle operator's line of sight through the windshield.

7. In apparatus as set forth in claim 1, means defining an aperture in said panel between said projection objective lens means and screen, which aperture is covered with a transparent substance such as clear glass or plastic and serves to provide a dust-proof window for the protection of the apparatus.

8. In apparatus as set forth in claim 1, said transparent member being mounted in the rim of a cylindrical drum-like member which is responsive to the speedometer.

9. In apparatus as set forth in claim 1, the light beam from the light source being condensed through the medium of a concave mirror placed directly beneath the indicia member and inclined at such an angle as to reflect the condensed rays of light through the indicia member to the lens.

10. In apparatus as set forth in claim 1, a means of condensing the light beam from the source of light to the indicia member.

11. In apparatus as set forth inclaim 1, a light proof conductor tube which will prevent leakage of light from the light source from interfering with the optical function of the projection objective means.

12. In a motor vehicle having a windshield and an instrument panel structure including a speedometer, an opaque screen surface arranged adjacent the line of vision through said windshield, which screen consists of a substance with a flat surface, said surface being modified by a multiplicity of fine parallel grooves and ridges over which there has been applied a coating of highly light-reflecting material selected from the group consisting ,of chrome, silver and nickel, which coating is administered in a thin, adhering film only of suflicient thickness to provide a smooth and brilliant surface to all portions of the grooves and ridges, which screen is in the line of sight of the vehicle operator, a transparent member bearing speed indicating indicia and operable by the speedometer in response to speed variations, an image projecting lens means interposed between the indicia-bearing member and the screen and focused upon the latter for projecting the indicia image thereupon, and a source of light concealed within the panel structure and serving to cast its light beam through the indicia member and the len means onto the screen. a

13. In apparatus as set forth according to claim 12, said opaque screen being supported in position near the windshield in the vehicle operators line of sight. I

14. In apparatus as set forth according to claim 12, said opaque screen being constructed as a por- I tion of said windshield.

15. In a vehicle having a-windshield and an underlying instrument panel structure including an indicating instrument, a light impervious image-reflecting screen arranged adjacent the vehicle operators line of vision through said windshield and inclined relative to said line of vision, a light pervious member bearing indicating indicia and operable by said instrument, projecting objective lens means interposed between said indicia-bearing member and said light lens means and said image-reflecting screen to intercept and deflect a projected image.

16. In a vehicle having a windshield and an underlying instrument panel structure including an indicating instrument, a light impervious image-reflecting screen arranged adjacent the vehicle operators line of vision through said windshield and inclined relative to said line of vision, a light pervious member bearing indicating indicia and operable by said instrument, projecting objective lens means interposed between said indicia-bearing member and said light impervious reflecting screen and focused upon the latter for projecting an indicia image thereon, a

image projection comprising shielded adjustable light-deflecting means interposed between said lens means and said image-reflecting screen to intercept and deflect a projected image.

AGIS ILAKI MIHALAKIS References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 785,851 Balderston et al. Mar. 28, 1905 1,144,009 Swanson June 22, 1915 1,684,682 Prettyman Sept. 18, 1928 1,747,355 Elworthy Feb. 18, 1930 1,757,493 Wharam 1; May 6, 1930 I 1,871,877 Euckman Aug. 16, 1932 2,086,556 Jacobson July 13, 1937 2,131,039 Draeger Sept. 27, 1938 2,191,045 Slayton Feb. 20, 1940 2,225,035 Cook ..;Dec. 17, 1940 2,264,044 Lee Nov. 25, 1941 2,382,631 I-Iarasta Aug. 14, 1945 

